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campusreview.com.au
Photo: Solgen Energy
Flinders to rays the roof
University moves one step closer to zero net
emissions from electricity with solar carpark.
A
lmost 6000 solar panels have been fixed above a Flinders
University carpark and onto its rooftops.
The arrays will provide one-fifth of the electricity
needed to power the university’s Bedford Park campus, while
providing shade for the cars parked below.
Vice-president (corporate services) Mark Gregory said the
campus is visited by a large number of people and uses a
significant amount of resources.
“We have an opportunity to do things in a way that is different,
and we should be looking at ways that we can all live in the
future,” Gregory said. “In demonstrating some of these more
progressive ideas, our campus can become a place where we live
and breathe and create a living laboratory for new technologies,
sustainable activities and new behaviours.”
On top of an improvement to operational costs, he said the
investment will also bring about opportunities for researchers to
test real world deployment of renewable energy technologies on
the localised electricity grid.
“There will also be many opportunities for this project to be
used in our teaching and learning to expose students to the latest
in renewable energy technology, engineering, civil and transport
system development,” Gregory added. “Ultimately we want to
create campus environments that enable students and staff to
experience the technology of the future.”
Vice-chancellor Professor Colin Stirling said the ‘solar car‑port’
will also include a charging dock for planned autonomous
shuttles. Those driving to university in plug-in electric vehicles will
also have access to six planned charging points.
Stirling said the move was intended to encourage their use on
campus by providing access to free solar energy.
Flinders is expected to flick the switch on the solar arrays from
October. Its draft sustainability plan shows it’s aiming for zero net
emissions from electricity by 2020. ■
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